Overcoming My Weaknesses: Friendship and Learning Expanded Through a 6-Week Study Abroad in Hungary
Name: Maiko Fukagai
Faculty/Department/Year (at the time of study abroad): Faculty of Humanities, Department of French Literature, 1st Year
Study Abroad Period: February 2025 - March 2025
Study Abroad Destination (Country/University): Hungary, ESSCA School of Management in Budapest
Study Abroad Type: Short-term Training Abroad
Every year, many Sophia University students study abroad in countries all over the world outside of Japan. How did they manage to find their way through the differences in languages, cultures, and lifestyles? Here are some voices of students who studied abroad.
What made you decide to study abroad?
Despite being in the French Literature Department, I had never visited Europe. After joining the university, I knew I wanted to travel to Europe at least once to further my academics and the purpose of developing my future career. That’s what sparked my decision.
How did you choose your study abroad destination (country/university)?
While searching, I found that the European study programs available at Sophia University during spring break were limited to France or Hungary. I debated between the two countries but ultimately chose Hungary because it offered a longer program and more opportunities to learn about the culture.
Did you have any concerns before studying abroad?
When I first heard that seven of us from Sophia University would be living together in one apartment for a month and a half, I was anxious about whether we would all get along since none of us knew each other beforehand.
How did you prepare for studying abroad, and is there anything you wish you had done differently?
I carefully prepared in order to cook my own meals there because it is easy to get sick in an unfamiliar environment. I brought a full set of Japanese seasonings and three kilograms of rice that I could take overseas. I also bought a microwaveable rice cooking gadget at a Japanese 100-yen shop, which proved very useful during my stay.
What was the atmosphere like at the university and among the students?
The university’s main campus is located in France, and about 70% of the students were from there. There were also many students from other European countries, while Asian students were relatively few. Since everyone was committed to making the most of learning in unfamiliar surroundings, I never felt left out in classes.
How did you expand your social circle?
I talked with students in my classes during breaks and asked for recommendations on nearby restaurants. I became close with one student, and we traveled to Italy together.
What were the differences, if any, in terms of class environment, learning content, or exams compared to Japan?
Most classes were small, with fewer than 20 students. The biggest difference compared to Japan was how often we were asked to speak up and express our opinions in class. There were exams, too, but they were mostly essay-based and required us to articulate our thoughts.
What did you focus on most outside of academics?
Travel! During my six-week stay, I had five weekends and took trips every week to nearby countries, such as Austria, Belgium, Sweden, Italy, and Malta.
Please describe what unique charms you discovered about your study abroad destination, or what new discoveries you have made.
I realized that Budapest has incredibly diverse cuisine. There are many Asian supermarkets and restaurants from various countries, so you never have trouble finding a good meal. I also enjoyed meeting many friendly people who are passionate with kind hospitality, like the staff at a Korean restaurant who became my friends or the people at an Italian restaurant who were generous to always offer free tiramisu.
What was the most memorable event or the most striking experience?
A fellow student in the same program met a Japanese music student from a university in Budapest. They invited all seven program participants to a piano concert on the spot hat was scheduled that exact day. We were delighted by the outstanding performances by students from both Hungary and Japan. I was very grateful for this wonderful opportunity.
Did you encounter any troubles or challenges during your study abroad? How did you overcome them?
I left my backpack on the bus and rushed to the terminal to retrieve it. I thought it was unlikely to be found, but fortunately, I managed to get it back. This taught me that making action is better than just being passive and waiting for things to happen.
How would you compare the before and after of your study abroad experience, in terms of how you’ve grown and any changes in your mindset?
I was never good at dealing with groups of people, so I worried that I might give up halfway through the program living with six others. However, I gained valuable insights through sharing experiences that I couldn’t have had on my own, such as traveling or attending concerts. Additionally, working together with my roommates to solve problems was a rewarding experience. In the end, I found my six weeks there to be tremendously rewarding.
How do you think studying abroad will impact your future life?
Meeting fellow students in the ESSCA program was a great gift. Exchanging ideas with those who had extensive overseas experience made my six weeks there even more valuable. I believe we will continue to inspire each other going forward.
Do you have any advice for someone considering studying abroad?
If you feel compelled to see or learn, I believe it’s worth the effort to give it a try. While it could be somewhat challenging, I encourage everyone to go for it without hesitation.